The Essential Guide to Maintaining Your Home Espresso Machine

July 10, 2025

Investing in a home espresso machine is a beautiful step into the world of serious coffee, but like any good tool, it needs care to perform its best. Regular maintenance not only keeps your espresso tasting great, it also extends the life of your machine and prevents costly repairs down the line.

Here’s a simple guide to help you keep your espresso machine running smoothly, shot after shot.

1. Daily Cleaning: The Non-Negotiables

Your machine sees a lot of action each day, and routine cleaning is the first line of defense against buildup and wear.

Purge and wipe the steam wand after every use. Always purge before and after steaming milk to prevent milk from drying inside the wand.
Backflush the grouphead with clean water. If your machine supports it, run water through the grouphead using a blind filter to remove coffee residues.
Empty and rinse the portafilter and basket. Oils and grounds accumulate quickly and can impact taste.
Clean the drip tray and water tank. These often-overlooked parts can quickly develop mold or stale smells if not rinsed daily.

Clean the portafilter after each use

2. Weekly Deep Clean: Keep Things Fresh

Once a week, go a little deeper:

Use a cleaning detergent (like Cafiza) to backflush the grouphead. This breaks down oils and residues water alone can’t.
Soak portafilters and baskets in hot water with a bit of espresso cleaner.
Wipe down the exterior and grouphead gasket to prevent hardened coffee residue from damaging the seal.

3. Descaling: Every Few Months

Limescale is the enemy of internal components, especially if you live in an area with hard water. Over time, it can clog pipes, reduce temperature stability, and ruin performance.

Descale your machine every 2 to 3 months, or more often if your water is hard.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely, using a descaling solution compatible with your machine.
After descaling, always flush the machine thoroughly with clean water to avoid chemical aftertastes.

Pro tip: Consider using filtered or softened water to reduce the need for descaling and improve cup quality.

Run water through the machine to remove coffee residues

4. Check and Replace Wear Parts

Some components naturally wear out over time:

Grouphead gasket: Replace every 6 to 12 months, or if you notice water leaking from the grouphead.
Shower screen and filter baskets: Clean them regularly and replace them if clogged or damaged.
Steam wand tips: Check for milk buildup; soak and scrub with a pin if needed.

5. Pay Attention to Taste and Flow

Sometimes the best indicator that something needs cleaning is in the cup.

Is your espresso tasting bitter, sour, or dull?
Is the flow too slow or too fast, even with consistent dosing and tamping?

These are signs that your machine might need a deeper clean or that buildup is affecting performance.

The smell of coffee might be an indication that your machine needs cleaning

Final Thoughts

Maintaining a home espresso machine doesn’t have to be complicated, just consistent. Like seasoning a good cast-iron pan, it’s a ritual that becomes second nature, and the rewards are worth it: better coffee, a longer-lasting machine, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re caring for your craft.

Your espresso machine takes care of you every morning. Give it a little love in return.